The Type 051C, also called the Luzhou class, is a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy air-defense destroyer class built by Dalian Shipyard for long-range fleet area air defense. Open-source references describe it as a two-ship class based on the earlier Type 051B hull and fitted with Russian S-300FM surface-to-air missiles, Type 730 close-in weapons systems, and a steam-turbine propulsion plant.
The Type 051C was the PLAN's specialized long-range area air-defense destroyer before later Chinese destroyer families took over that role. Open-source references consistently tie the class to the older Type 051B hull, Russian S-300FM missiles, a paired Type 730 CIWS fit, and a small production run of two ships.
| Fact | Source-backed detail |
|---|---|
| Class role | Air-defense destroyer for fleet area defense. |
| Class size | Two ships completed: Shenyang and Shijiazhuang. |
| Design basis | Modified Type 051B hull with steam-turbine propulsion. |
Timeline
Open-source reporting described the Type 051C under construction at Dalian Shipyard in 2004.
Sources: Type 51C Luzhou AAW DDG
GlobalSecurity and other references place the first ship, Shenyang, in PLAN service in 2006.
Sources: Type 51C Luzhou AAW DDG, Type 51C Luzhou / Luhai II AAW DDG - Design
Shijiazhuang, the second and final Type 051C destroyer, entered service in January 2007.
Sources: Guided-missile destroyer Shijiazhuang in combat training
